Traveling Information

Special Considerations

Portions of the Forest Trail West that travel through Tate’s Hell State Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, and the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, are unpaved, but well graded, with speed limits of 25 miles an hour or less. This route is not recommended for vehicles towing a trailer of for RVs over 40 feet long. In addition, caution should be used in periods of heavy rain.

Much of the Byway travels through public lands with no fences. Wildlife, including White-Tail Deer, Hogs, Turkey, Black Bear, Bobcat, Otter, and Alligator are abundant and may appear on the roadway without warning. Please obey the speed limit and do not feed wildlife.

Transportation Hub

Tallahassee, Florida. The Tallahassee Regional Airport is located on the Big Bend Scenic Byway’s Forest Trail East and resources can be accessed by turning on Capital Circle SW (SR 263) from the airport in either direction.

Gateway Communities

Jacksonville, Florida

Distance from this location to the Byway: 147 miles

Average drive time from this location to the Byway: 2 hours 30 minutes

Driving directions from this location to the Byway: Travel on I-10 West to Tallahassee and take Exit 196 South. Turn right onto Capital Circle SW (SR 263) and cross over Tennessee St. (US 90). To travel on the Byway’s Forest Trail Central, turn right (west) at the next intersection of Blountsville Highway (US 20) and Capital Circle SW (SR 263). To travel the Byway’s Forest Trail East, continue straight on Capital Circle SW. The total driving distance from I-10 to the Byway is 3 miles.

Pensacola, Florida

Distance from this location to the Byway: 174 miles

Average drive time from this location to the Byway: 2 hours 50 minutes

Driving directions from this location to the Byway: Travel on I-10 East to Tallahassee and take Exit 196 South. Turn left onto Capital Circle SW (SR 263) and cross over Tennessee St. (US 90). To travel west on the Byway’s Forest Trail Central, turn right at the next intersection of Blountsville Highway (US 20) and Capital Circle SW (SR 263). To travel east on the Byway’s Forest Trail Central, continue straight on Capital Circle SW to access. The total driving distance from I-10 to the Byway is 3 miles.

Panama City, Florida

Distance from this location to the Byway: 53.6 miles

Average drive time from this location to the Byway: One hour

Driving directions from this location to the Byway: Take US 98/SR 30 East, passing Tyndall Airforce Base, Mexico Beach, and Port St. Joe, to Apalachicola to access the Byways’s Coastal Trail West on US Highway 98.

Perry, Florida

Distance from this location to the Byway: 38 miles

Average drive time from this location to the Byway: 40 minutes

Driving directions from this location to the Byway: From US 19 in Perry turn left (west) onto US 98/SR 30 and continue to the beginning of the Byway’s Coastal Trail East at the intersection with SR 59 just before Newport.